A video of an illegal firework display on Los Angeles\u2019s \u201cRibbon of Light\u201d is circulating social media<\/p>\n
The once shining \u201cRibbon of Light\u201d has been illuminated again \u2013 this time, by vandals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Los Angeles\u2019 iconic 6th Street Bridge was the stage for an illegal firework show over the weekend. Following the incident, a video posted by the Instagram account @capture.la_ circulated on social media, showing the coordinated display.<\/a><\/p>\n Individuals adorned with black hoodies and face coverings are shown in the video arranging the display and later setting the fireworks ablaze. The Los Angeles sky became blinding as the pyrotechnics erupted, some exploding prematurely on the road.<\/p>\n \u201cCaptured a safely coordinated firework show on the 6th.st Bridge in Downtown LA,\u201d the Instagram caption read.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) can be seen extinguishing small fires on the bridge following the display.<\/p>\n The 6th Street Bridge, which was reopened and dubbed the \u201cRibbon of Light\u201d<\/a> in 2022, has a long history of trouble predating its rebranding. Originally built in 1932, the stretch road that connects Downtown LA and Boyle Heights has seen its fair share of vandalism, theft and scandal.\u00a0<\/p>\n After approximately 80 years of use, the City of Los Angeles announced the 6th Street Bridge was deteriorating and needed to be replaced. The Bureau of Engineering held an international competition for a new design, and Michael Maltzan Architects, a local Los Angeles firm, and HNTB Corporation won with their lit design.\u00a0<\/p>\n Scroll to continue reading<\/p>\n The \u201cRibbon of Light\u201d was Los Angeles\u2019 largest bridge project, costing $588 million to complete. It featured 10 sets of arches lit by LED lights that changed colors.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, once opened to the public, theft quickly occurred<\/a>. According to former Councilman Kevin de Le\u00f3n, vandals broke into the lighting system\u2019s metal panels, stealing the copper wire from within. To counteract the thievery, the Los Angeles Police Department created a task force, which ultimately failed.<\/p>\n At the start of 2024, de Le\u00f3n told KTLA<\/a> that the city spent tens of millions of dollars to repair damage. The following year, the bridge went completely dark.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOur Sixth Street Bridge in Los Angeles no longer lights up at night and it is covered with graffiti. Thieves repeatedly steal the copper wiring and have left the bridge in the dark,\u201d Former Los Angeles Police Commander Lillian L. Carranza posted on X<\/a> in September 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n Our Sixth Street Bridge in Los Angeles no longer lights up at night and it is covered with graffiti. Thieves repeatedly steal the copper wiring and have left the bridge in the dark. Patrol has been increased and graffiti removal requested. <\/p>\n Fixing the issues plaguing the\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/aW9ns1rfk7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Lillian L. Carranza (Retired)\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@LAPDCARRANZA) September 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n In addition to the theft, the bridge has been a target for vandalism and tagging. In 2022, the Los Angeles City Council approved $700K<\/a> to maintain the overpass and remove the graffiti, only for it to quickly return.\u00a0<\/p>\n Most recently, an alleged vandal was rescued by the LAFD after falling from the bridge in November of last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n In comments on the circulating video of the firework display, locals claim litter from the fireworks was left behind. Another commenter lamented a time when the bridge was once lit legally.<\/p>\n